Using your language skills : Transport

Management jobs in transport and distribution companies are open to numerate graduates of any discipline, and an additional European language is valuable. Trainees may move to managing distribution centres in mainland Europe or marketing the company’s services abroad. Further information can be found in transport and logistics.

Shipping services

The Baltic Exchange  in London is the world centre for matching cargoes with ships. You don’t have to be a graduate to get into ship broking, but firms increasingly prefer to take graduates. Some ship broking firms also act as ships’ agents through their representatives in foreign ports. They deal with local operational matters on behalf of a ship’s owners. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages (particularly Greek, Norwegian and Japanese) is helpful, although English is the language of international shipping.

Freight forwarding

Freight forwarders offer a specialist service to importers and exporters; they arrange documentation, customs clearance, packaging and insurance. They understand international rates and routes, and may specialise in certain commodities or regions of the world. Most firms are small and have few vacancies. Language skills are a great asset, when coupled with analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

For more information, see freight forwarder.